Alternate Adult has dark body with rusty sides, reddish neck, dark head with thick yellow stripe extending back from red eye, and short, pointy bill. Basic Adult is black and white overall, with dark back, gray sides, smudgy whitish neck, dark crown, white throat, and white face. Contrast between dark and light on face is well-defined. Sexes are similar. Juvenile is like Basic Adult with some rusty tones on neck and indistinct dark stripes on head. Whitish tip to the bill separates this species from similar Eared Grebe in all plumages.

Length: 35 (cm) Wingspan: 46 (cm)

Voice:

Usually silent in winter. In breeding season, squeaky trills, rattles, and chatters.

Habitat:

Breeds on inland wetlands and lakes, winters on deep bodies of water and along coast.

Behavior:

Nest is a floating platform of vegetation anchored to reeds. In winter, usually seen singly or scattered over water's surface, often just offshore or in estuaries, bays, and between jetties.

Feeding:

Dives and swims to catch fish and other aquatic organisms.